Deformation caused by the 2011 eastern Japan great earthquake monitored using the GPS single-epoch precise point positioning technique

Crustal deformation can provide constraints for studying earthquake rupture and shock wave transmission for the Mw9.0 eastern Japan great earthquake. Using the single- epoch precise point positioning （PPP） method and the appropriate positioning flow, we process GPS data from six IGS （International GNSS Service） sites （e.g., MIZU, TSK2, USUD, MTKA, AIRA and KSMV） located in Japan and obtain the positioning results with centimeter scale precision. The displacement time series of the six sites are analyzed using the least squares spectral analysis method to estimate deformations caused by the Mw9.0 mainshock and the Mw7.9 aftershock, and the cumulative displacements after 1 day. Mainshock displacements at station MIZU, the nearest site to the mainshock in the North （N）, East （E）, and Up （U） directions, are -1.202 m, 2.180 m and -0.104 m, respectively, and the cumulative deformations after 1 day are -1.117 m, 2.071 m and -0.072 m, respectively. The displacements at station KSMV, the nearest site to the Mw7.9 aftershock in the N, E and U directions, are -0.032 m, 0.742 m and -0.345 m, respectively. The other sites obviously experienced eastern movements and subsidence. The deformation vectors indicate that the horizontal displacements caused by the earthquake point to the epicenter and rupture. Elastic bounds evidently took place at all sites. The results indicate that the crustal movements and earthquake were part of a megathrust caused by the Pacific Plate sinking under the North American Plate to the northeast of Japan island arc.

Correlation between lunar node tide and great earthquakes

This study selects six consecutive 18.6 years of global M≥7.0 earthquakes,calculates the lunar declination angle based on the time of the earthquakes,and divides the global earthquakes into 13 research regions according to the global plate distribution facts to explore the lunar infl uence of earthquakes.The relationship between the lunar declination angle and these earthquakes is analyzed.The analysis results show that when the moon advances to a certain interval of its declination angle,the earthquakes are concentrated in a certain research region,whereas other research regions are relatively calm,providing a scientifi c basis for medium and long-term earthquake predictions in each research region.The 18.6-year cycle is the lunar declination angle change cycle,and it is also the major nutation cycle of the earth’s motion and lunar node movement cycle.This is,in reality,the eff ect of the lunar node tide,which is worthy of further study.

Discussion on the Relationship between “Anti-great Earthquakes” and Ground Motion with a Low Probability of Exceedance

In this paper we discuss the differences and relationship between"great earthquakes",rare ground motion,and very rare ground motion.Taking the Beichuan-Yingxiu potential seismic source zone in Longmenshan seismic belt as an example,we revealed the relationship between the effects of"great earthquakes"and rare ground and very rare ground motion.After pointing out scientific and technical problems in the current seismic fortification system,we suggest that very rare ground motion should be considered if we want to deduce the potential hazard of great earthquakes in the future.

Seismicity anomalies before the great earthquake of M_S=8.1 in the Kunlun Pass and its significance to earthquake prediction

A great earthquake of MS=8.1 took place in the west of Kunlun Pass on November 14, 2001. The epicenter is lo-cated at 36.2N and 90.9E. The analysis shows that some main precursory seismic patterns appear before the great earthquake, e.g., seismic gap, seismic band, increased activity, seismicity quiet and swarm activity. The evolution of the seismic patterns before the earthquake of MS=8.1 exhibits a course very similar to that found for earthquake cases with MS7. The difference is that anomalous seismicity before the earthquake of MS=8.1 involves in the lar-ger area coverage and higher seismic magnitude. This provides an evidence for recognizing precursor and fore-casting of very large earthquake. Finally, we review the rough prediction of the great earthquake and discuss some problems related to the prediction of great earthquakes.

Maximum entropy spectral characteristics of seismic activity for great earthquakes in China

The maximum entropy spectral characteristics of seismicity in the seismic enhanced region of 11 great earthquakes is analysed in this paper to seek the difference of seismic period spectral structure between the normal and the abnormal stage of seismic activity in this paper. The results show that, during decades or even one hundred years before great earthquakes, only short periods with 6.5～24.3 years appear, and long ones disappear. Otherwise, long periods with 18.5～38.5 years exist chiefly within the normal stages. Decades years after great earthquakes, the period spectra of seismicity are generally about several or ten years. Then the characteristics of great earthquakes is explained physically by applying the strong body seismogenic model, so a method of studying and predicting great earthquakes is offered.

Large aftershocks triggering by Coulomb failure stress following the 2001 MS=8.1 great Kunlun earthquake

The great Kunlun earthquake occurred on Nov. 14, 2001 in Qinghai Province, China. Five large aftershocks with magnitude larger than 5.0 occurred near the Kunlun fault after main shock. Calculations of the change in Coulomb failure stress reveal that 4 of 5 large aftershocks occurred in areas with Dsf >0 (10-2~10-1 MPa) and one aftershock occurred in an area with Dsf =-0.56 MPa. It is concluded that the permanent fault displacement due to the main shock is the main cause of activity of large aftershocks, but not the whole cause.

Large Active Faults and the Wharton Basin Intraplate Earthquakes in the Eastern Indian Ocean

In recent years,great earthquakes occurred within the Wharton Basin in the eastern Indian Ocean,and they have been associa-ted with active faulting on the ancient oceanic crust.Large seismogenic faults were thought to be the fault reactivation on the ancient oceanic crust,but these phenomena are still unclear and require examination.This study used high-quality multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic data collected over the northern Ninetyeast Ridge to investigate detailed fault geometry,structure,and activity.We recognized 12 large linear active faults by integrating bathymetry maps and multichannel seismic reflection profiles.Our results showed that these faults have high angles,and they all displaced the basement and propagated to the seafloor with distinct fault scarps.They trended NWW-SEE with a spacing of 10–40km and were parallel to each other and the nearby subfault of the 2012 great intraplate earthquake,suggesting similar stress fields.These faults are also in agreement with the orientations of magnetic isochrons,implying their formation by seafloor spreading.Furthermore,regarding the strike-slip focal mechanism of 2012 earthquakes,we proposed that these faults were created early by a normal spreading process and then evolved into a strike-slip pattern since the ancient oceanic crust ap-proached the subduction zones.

GIS as an Information Infrastructure for Recovery and Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake

This study considers the regional characteristics of the Tohoku region and the extent of the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and makes proposals for recovery and reconstruction of the areas affected by this disaster as well as for a reduction of the impact of natural disasters that may occur in the future with GIS （geographic information systems） as a social infrastructure positioned at the heart of the information infrastructure. Due to the fact that social media that used ICT （information and communication technology） was useful in the days directly after the disaster, it can be said that it is necessary to investigate the provision of an information infrastructure that uses ICT to reduce the impact of disasters. Therefore, this study proposes the construction of a geographical information database using GIS and the provision and sharing of information using social media GIS after discussion of the relationship between the development of the computerization of Japan and GIS as a valid example of using information systems for recovery and reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Changes in Fatigue of Cancer Survivors Who Received Outpatient Chemotherapy in the Area Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the long-term changes in fatigue of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy after a disaster such as the Great Earthquake. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, we measured subjective fatigue, autonomic function, and physical activity with reference to the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. Results: The participants were 13, 9 males (69.2%) and 4 females (30.8%). The most common cancer among the participants was lung cancer 4 patients (30.8%). In 2012, eight patients (61.6%) received anti-cancer drugs and three (23.0%) received the drug by intravenous drip and oral administration. Physical fatigue (p = 0.004), mental fatigue (p = 0.002), comprehensive fatigue (p = 0.012), and comprehensive evaluations (p = 0.032) were significantly different. Significant differences in the autonomic nervous function were observed during the three years from 2012 to 2014 (log LF [p = 0.017], log HF [p = 0.023] and log LF/HF [p = 0.039]). Similar to Subjective fatigue, Significant differences in physical activity were observed during the three years from 2012 to 2014 (DA [p = 0.042], TST [p = 0.037], SE [p = 0.018], AW [p = 0.023] and Naps [p = 0.014]). Conclusions: The participants fatigue worsened at one time, but showed improvement over time. In the event of an emergency such as a disaster, it is necessary to evaluate the physical and mental condition based on objective indicators of cancer patients receiving anti-cancer drug treatment and provide nursing support.

Seismic Design of Offshore Wind Turbine Withstands Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Japan＇s first open sea offshore wind farm, Kamisu offshore windfarm Phase l, was stricken by an earthquake of intensity 6 on the Japanese seismic scale and a five-meter-high tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11,2011. The wind farm resumed operation on March 14 after checks revealed no damage to the system, even though the wind farm was temporarily forced to stop due to the grid failure caused by the earthquake. Wind turbines require a precise seismic design especially in an earthquake-prone country such as Japan. Wind power Kamisu Phase 2 was built one year after the earthquake based on the experience of Kamisu Phase 1. This paper presents the seismic design of offshore wind turbines and the situation during the earthquake and tsunami.

Wave separation for the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake with regional seismic array

We analyzed the seismic waveforms from the December 26, 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake recorded at broadband seismic stations in western Europe. Previous studies involving of the beam-forming technique and high frequency analysis suggest that the earthquake ruptured with a duration of around 500 s. This very long duration makes P wave overlap with later arrivals such as PP wave, which follows P in about 200 s. Since P waves are crucial for modeling earthquake processes, we propose an iterative method to separate P and PP waveforms. The separated P waveform confirms a second large energy release around 300 s after the initial rupture. The iterative signal separation technique is particularly useful for mixed signals that are not independent and the number of recording stations far exceeds number of mixed signal sources.

Great Guam earthquake(M_(sz)=8.1)and time changes in geomagnetic transfer functions

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Horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland before and after the great Kunlun Mountain M=8.1 earthquake in 2001

The continuous GPS observation at the fiducial stations in the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) recorded the crustal movement of Chinese mainland before and after the great Kunlun Mountain earthquake of M=8.1 on November 14, 2001, especially the horizontal crustal movement in the western part of China. Based on the datum defined by a group of stable stations with small mutual horizontal displacements for a few years, the time series of horizontal displacements at fiducial stations were obtained. Significant anomalous horizontal displacements had appeared at the fiducial stations in the western part of China since early November 2000 and several earthquakes with the magnitudes about 6.0 had occurred in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces. The northward components of the horizontal displacement at the fiducial stations in west China had decreased signifi-cantly and even changed in the opposite sense since mid April 2001. After the earthquake, the northward dis-placements still decreased and there were significant westward displacements. The process of the crustal move-ment in the western part of Chinese mainland (in reference to east China) suggests that the main force source for this earthquake came from the northward pushing of the Indian plate. The great earthquake released a large amount of energy, as a result, the action applied by the Indian plate to Chinese mainland diminished significantly and after the great earthquake, the seismic activity in Chinese mainland decreased considerably until the end of 2002.

New energy policy and low-carbon society in Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake

The Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 devastated the eastern region of Japan.Due to the resulting nuclear accident,Japanese Cabinet decided to revise its energy policies.The Energy and Environment Council in National Policy Unit published options on the nation's scenarios for energy and economy in 2030.We estimated the economic impacts of the options to national economy and households in 2030.Finally,we clarified significant factors to establish a secure,affluent and low-carbon society based on the energy scenarios.

Consumer Reaction to the Great East Japan Earthquake

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, the demand for bottled water increased sharply. In this paper, the authors analyze who purchased more bottled water after the earthquake using Quick Purchase Report data. The results are as follows： first, consumers who before the earthquake tended to purchase less bottled water tended to increase the volume purchased after the earthquake; second, the motives for purchasing bottled water after the earthquake differed between consumers in the Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan districts.

Characteristics of Tsunami Damage to the Tide Walls in Iwate Prefecture from the Great East Japan Earthquake

This research paper describes the tsunami damage to tide walls observed using aerial photographs and field investigations at 13 locations along the coast of Iwate Prefecture, where significant tsunami damage occurred as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake. This paper also summarizes the characteristics of the damage. The tide walls in Iwate Prefecture were constructed on a ria （hilly type） coast, this geographical feature of lwate being different from that of the other disaster areas, primarily Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures. The results of our investigations show that all the devastated tide walls suffered from overflow before being damaged. In particular, the sloping and vertical type tide walls with slope protection were damaged by scouring of the infill sand or back fill soil due to the overflow of the tsunami. In the case of vertical type tide walls without slope protection, damage was caused by scouring of the back fill soil.

Damage Analysis of the Great East Japan Earthquake

This paper tries to comprehensively summarize the reasons of damages at the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 and what are the lessons in terms of earthquake and tsunami safety of building and cities. The paper examines the damage of tsunami affected areas and analyses the damage to extract lessons in order to safely reconstruct the affected areas from the view point of building regulations such as ＂Disaster Risk Area＂ provided by the Article 39 of the Building Standard Law and the Urbanization Control Area and UPA （Urbanization Promotion Area） provided by the Article 8 of the Ordinance of the City Planning Law of Japan.

Anomalies in Water Level Records in Yunnan Caused by the Great Indonesian Earthquakes and Their Significance

Two great earthquakes occurred in the sea northwest of Sumatra,Indonesia,on December 26,2004 and March 29,2005.The observation of water levels in Yunnan yielded abundant information about the two earthquakes.This paper presents the water level response to the two earthquakes in Yunnan and makes a preliminary analysis.It is observed that the large earthquake-induced abnormal water level change could be better recorded by analog recording than by digital recording.The large earthquake-caused water level rise or decline may be attributed to the effect of seismic waves that change the stress in tectonic units,and is correlated with the geological structure where the well is located.The water level response mode in a well is totally the same for earthquakes occurring on the same fault and with the same fracture mode.The only difference is that the response amplitude increases with the growth of the earthquake magnitude.

Self-organized ordering of earthquakes(M≥8) in China's Mainland

The paper presented a new regular pattern （network structure ） of great earthquakes occurred in China's Mainland during the past 700 years, which may be helpful to improve the understanding of great earthquakes and can serve as a base for the study of prediction of future great earthquakes. It can be done because there are quite complete and confident records of historical and recent earthquakes in a wide extent in China.

Analysis of Ship Refuge Action in Tsunami Using AIS Data： Case of the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

A massive earthquake occurred in the Tohoku and Kanto regions of Japan on the 1 lth of March 2011. In response, a tsunami alert, a tsunami warning and an advisory were issued for the entire Pacific coast region. This research investigates the evacuation behavior of ships by AIS （automatic identification system） data in Onahama port after the tsunami warning was issued. The unusual behavior observed was attributed to the emergency evacuation of ships. This research investigates the evacuation behaviors of the vessels using the data obtained from AIS, around the Onahama Port during alerting the major tsunami warning. The result shows that most vessels in the port started evacuating approximately 10 min after the major tsunami warning and completed offshore evacuation 40 min after this warning. This contributed in understanding the actual status of the vessel evacuation. In addition, the travel paths of each vessel revealed the influence of the tsunami on the vessels. Furthermore, the exceptional situation where several vessels moved in the same direction at the speed almost same for about 2 hours was confirmed. As a result, it can be estimated that the waves that affected both vessels were the drawback of the tsunamis.